Group Offers Feedback for Kids’ Book Authors

If you need feedback on a children’s work-in-progress, plan to attend the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators seminar at noon June 22 at Adventures for Kids Bookstore, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura.

Professional writers will assess your manuscript and share marketing techniques. Bring a folding chair and a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided. Nonmember fee is $5. Advance registration is required. Call (805) 581-1906.

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Everyone is writing mystery thrillers these days, and one of the best is Linda Fairstein, a former New York district attorney who was chief of Manhattan’s sex crime division for 20 years. Her first novel, “Final Jeopardy,” was a bestseller. She signs her new thriller, “Likely to Die,” at noon today at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Peter Lance, former ABC news correspondent, will introduce his novel, “First Degree Burn,” at noon Friday.

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Health and nutrition authors will offer advice this week at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Joseph Dispenza will discuss “Live Better Longer: The Parcells Center 7-Step Plan for Health and Longevity,” at 7 p.m. Friday. And Dr. Udo Erasmus will sign “Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill” at 7 p.m. Monday.

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The drive to collect 10,000 books to raise money for and stock the shelves of Ventura County’s libraries is underway. And a mini-outdoor fair for children, in conjunction with the book drive, is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks.

Bring new and used books to the bins in the mall’s Center Court area.

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All three chapters of Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network will host a reception to celebrate their first anniversary at 7 p.m. Sunday at Ventura TowneHouse, 4900 Telegraph Road. Guest speaker will be Jan Nathan, executive director of Publishers Marketing Assn., a trade group that specializes in providing resources for small publishers and self-published authors. Nonmember fee is $5. Call (805) 643-2403.

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In Santa Barbara

Screenwriter-local author David Freed will sign “Dear Ernest and Julio,” a hilarious book about the unqualified guy looking for an extraordinary job, at 7 tonight at Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St.

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UCSB student filmmakers will be honored at a screening of their award-winning films at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Campbell Hall. Tickets are $4 for the public and $3, students. Call (805) 893-2347.

* Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.